HAYS, Kansas -- Top-ranked Central Oklahoma had no problem with Fort Hays State Saturday afternoon, overwhelming the Tigers 35-9 in a MIAA mismatch despite deploying a bevy of backups.
The Bronchos used just three starters in the final road dual of the season and still coasted to their 30th consecutive conference win in clinching at least a share of their sixth straight MIAA title.
It was the 14th win in a row for UCO, which moved to 15-1 on the season and 4-0 in the league. The Bronchos host MIAA rival and No. 14 Central Missouri at 2 p.m. next Sunday to end the regular season while celebrating both Senior Day and Alumni Day.
Central's three starters all recorded easy bonus-point wins, with Hvy Ryan Nichols scoring a third-period fall, 174 Hunter Jump a technical fall and 184 Branson Britten a major decision.
The Bronchos also picked up major decisions from 133 Easton Taylor and 141 Canon Acklin while 149 Kasen Miller and 157 Hayze Ivey also won. Guy Clevenger picked up a forfeit at 125, with UCO losing at 165 and giving up a forfeit at 197.
"We've got good depth at pretty much every weight and that showed today," head coach Todd Steidley said. "It was good to get some of our other guys in the lineup. I thought they responded well and we did a great job taking care of business."
Nichols had the lone fall of the day in the final match. The sophomore big man used four takedowns to build a 13-1 lead before decking Jaxson Thomas in the final minute for his second pin of the season.
Jump won for the 11th time in a row in dominating fashion. The fourth-ranked racked up three near-falls, two takedowns and a reverse in piling up an 18-1 lead to end it at the 4:49 mark.
The third-rated Britten scored four takedowns and a reverse in cruising to a 15-3 rout for his 18th win of the season.
Taylor got UCO going in the first contested match of the day, scoring three takedowns and a near-fall in a 13-1 romp. Acklin followed with another runaway, posting a 13-0 shutout behind two takedowns and a pair of near-falls.
Miller used two takedowns and a reverse to claim a 10-4 victory and Ivey prevailed 5-3 behind a third-period reverse.
UCO 35, Fort Hays State 9
125 – Guy Clevenger, UCO, won by forfeit.
133 - Easton Taylor, UCO, major dec. Aiden Shields, 13-1.
141 – Canon Acklin, UCO, major dec. Kilton Field, 13-0.
149 – Kasen Miller, UCO, dec. Jarrett Mader, 10-4.
157 – Hayze Ivey, UCO, dec. Johnny Thomas, 5-3.
165 – Cason Lindsay, FHSU, dec. Brady Benham, 7-2.
174 – Hunter Jump, UCO, technical fall Hunter Harris, 18-1 (4:49).
184 – Branson Britten, UCO, major dec. Houston Frank, 15-3.
197 – Ryan Patterson, FHSU, won by forfeit.
Hvy – Ryan Nichols, UCO, pinned Jaxson Thomas, 6:02.
